The Python Challenge

Burmese pythons were first reported in Everglades National Park in 1979 and were assumed to be pets that reached the U.S. via the pet trade. Since then, the ravenous tropical snakes have thrived, reproducing at an alarming rate. As python populations have grown, many native species have plummeted as a result of predation by the new predators in town.

Photo courtesy of NPS

Florida, desperate to combat the python problem, has launched the Python Challenge, giving hunters free reign to kill pythons at will. Most people have a strong reaction, one way or another, to this "solution."

Learn more about it here:

Will Killing Pythons Save Florida's Native Species?

 

 

Midwinter and Mangroves

Muddled in the midwinter chill, it's hard not to imagine a warmer place where one might shed sleeves and soak up some sun. 

I suppose that was the thought pattern that led me to investigate the mangroves of Venezuela. They are beautiful and mysterious, harboring all manner of flying, crawling, slithering, swimming wonders.

A brown pelican perches in a mangrove tree on Margarita Island, Venezuela.

Photo by Wilfredor / Wikimedia

Sadly, like so many regions, Venezuela's mangroves are threatened by pollution. Learn more about this magical, tropical place and how you can help preserve it for, at very least, the midwinter dreams of generations to come:

Venezuelan Coastal Mangroves

Conservation Comeback

The straight-horned markhor, the national animal of Pakistan, is a mythical-looking mountain goat with long, twisting horns. It reminds me of something you might see in the Lord of the Rings ...

Photo courtesy of USFWS

With the help of concentrated conservation efforts, this endangered species of markhor is on the rebound, warranting a proposed change in its listing from endangered to threatened in recent months.

Learn more about this amazing animal.  

 

What do Sports and Endangered Species Have in Common?

At least six sports teams around the world are represented by mascots that are endangered species. For instance, the Florida panther is it's state hockey team's flagship animal.

Photo courtesy of USFWS

Learn about five more endangered species that adorn helmets and uniforms here:

Endangered Species as Sports Team Mascots

Sometimes, it works ...

What works?

Conservation.

Despite all of the news stories we hear about species declining and, worse yet, going extinct, there are instances when conservation efforts succeed in recovering species, bringing them back from the brink of extinction. 

Photo courtesy of USFWS

Learn about six success stories here:

Endangered Species Success Stories of 2012